Hit-and-Run Law — Duty to Stop After an Accident
Fleeing after causing an accident is a criminal offence with imprisonment up to 10 years under the 2019 amendment.
If you are involved in an accident, you are legally required to stop, render aid, report to the nearest police station, and provide your details. Fleeing the scene (hit-and-run) is a criminal offence with ₹2,00,000 compensation liability and up to 10 years imprisonment if death is caused.
Penalty Under Law
Sec. 161 (2019): ₹2,00,000 compensation + imprisonment up to 6 months (injury) or 10 years (death). Sec. 134: ₹500 for failure to report.
Legal Source
MV Act Sec. 161, 162, 134; IPC Sec. 304A, 279 / BNS equivalent
What the Law Says
Section 134 MV Act: The driver must stop, provide assistance to the injured, report to the nearest police station within 24 hours, and give details (name, licence, vehicle number). Section 161 (2019 amendment): Hit-and-run causing death — ₹2,00,000 mandatory compensation from the driver/owner + imprisonment. Section 162: Hit-and-run causing grievous hurt — ₹50,000 compensation. Good Samaritan Law (Sec. 134A): Bystanders who help accident victims shall not be liable for any civil or criminal action. No hospital may refuse treatment.
💡 Why This Rule Exists
India loses over 50,000 people annually in hit-and-run cases. Many victims die not from the initial injury but from delayed medical attention because the driver fled and no one stopped to help. The Good Samaritan Law was enacted to encourage bystanders to help without fear of legal harassment — previously, people were reluctant to help because they feared being treated as suspects by police.
Key Facts
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You MUST stop if involved in an accident — this is not optional.
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Render first aid and arrange transport to hospital.
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Report to nearest police station within 24 hours.
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Good Samaritan Law: if you help an accident victim, no hospital can refuse treatment and no police can detain or question you as a suspect.
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Compensation: ₹2,00,000 (death), ₹50,000 (grievous hurt) — mandatory from driver/owner.
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Insurance covers third-party liability — but hit-and-run forfeits insurance protection.
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Emergency number: 112 (unified) or 108 (ambulance).
⚠️ Common Violations
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Fleeing the scene after hitting a pedestrian or cyclist.
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Not reporting the accident to police within 24 hours.
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Bystanders refusing to help victims for fear of legal trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
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